NEWS & UPDATES

1.Global Compact Introduces Communication on Engagement for Non-Business Participants
The Communication on Engagement (COE) Policy, which became effective on 31 October 2013, introduces clear engagement activities for non-business participants in the initiative. The COE is a tool for civil society, academia, business associations and other non-business participants to express their commitment through transparency and communicate the ways they support the Global Compact. In the spirit of continuous improvement and engagement, non-business participants will be required to disclose specific activities in support of the initiative to stakeholders every two years, as well as results. More.Learn about and read the COE policy.

2. Business for Peace Kicks Off Local Network Event Series in Colombia
The Global Compact, together with its Local Networks, has kicked off a series of Business for Peace national events to catalyze collaborative action to advance peace in the workplace, marketplace and local communities. These localized events follow the Business for Peace platform’s global launch by the Secretary-General at the Global Compact Leaders Summit. The first country-level launch event (30 October, Bogotá) was hosted by the Global Compact Network Colombia. More.

3. Global Compact Highlights South-South Cooperation on Sustainable Development
Representatives from business, Government, the UN, academia and civil society came together (31 October, Nairobi) to discuss private sector collaboration in Africa and one of its biggest trading partners, China, to promote green growth and sustainable development. The Clean and Green Africa-China Private Sector Forum on Collective Action for Sustainable Development – organized by the Global Compact as part of the 2013 Global South-South Development Expo – focused on issues including sustainable energy access, infrastructure development, technology and knowledge transfer among developing countries. More.

4. Nigerian Stock Exchange Joins UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) announced (29 October, Mexico City) that it has joined the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) initiative. The announcement was delivered on the sidelines of the World Federation of Exchanges annual conference. The NSE is the third stock exchange from Africa to join the SSE and the eighth worldwide. More.

5. Oxfam International and Global Compact To Partner on Poverty Assessment Tool
Oxfam International and the Global Compact announced (17 October) a collaboration to urge Global Compact companies to work in conjunction with civil society organizations to undertake a poverty footprint assessment. Both organizations will jointly promote the assessment tool to help companies evaluate their impact on poverty through their operations and policies. More.

ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

All are invited to participate in the development of the Sustainable Agriculture Business Principles by providing feedback on the White Paper. We are interested in receiving input specifically on the outcomes that sustainable agriculture business principles should aim to achieve, the factors key to achieving these goals and the actions that are needed.

2. Call for Nominations: WEPs Leadership Award
The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) is accepting nominations for the 2014 Leadership Awards, which highlight concrete actions taken to implement the WEPs and advance and empower women.

The deadline for submission has been extended to 2 December. The Awards will be presented at the 6th Annual WEPs Event (5-6 Mar, New York). For more information on the Awards, eligibility and how to apply, please visit the WEPs website.

3. Call for Company Examples: Discussion Paper on Short-Termism in Financial Markets
Global Compact LEAD and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) are developing a discussion paper – to be discussed during an upcoming meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos – will explore how short-termism in financial markets affects investments into a company’s sustainability strategies. Contributing to the paper offers companies an opportunity to help other companies, investors and policy makers develop strategies to address negative impacts of short-termism.

Companies are invited to submit examples that address the questions: “How has short-termism in the financial market affected your sustainability strategies?” and “In what ways have investor pressures impacted your investments in your sustainability goals?” Short company examples (100-200 words) or other responses are needed by 26 November. Please contact Danielle Chesebrough (Danielle.Chesebrough@unpri.org) to submit input or learn more about the project.

4. Call for Applications: 2014 "Global Compact International Yearbook"
A product of macondo Media Group, the yearbook offers in-depth information on key sustainability issues to stakeholders around the world and promotes knowledge exchange and learning in the spirit of the Global Compact principles. Financial contributions are not collected on behalf of the Global Compact Office. Rather, they are exclusively used to fund the development of the yearbook by macondo Media Group.

Global Compact participants are invited to apply to feature a company example in the yearbook. For further information, please visit the website or contact Dr. Elmer Lenzen, Publisher (lenzen@macondo.de) and Kristen Coco from the Global Compact (cocok@un.org).

FEATURED RESOURCES

1. Architects of a Better World: Building the Post-2015 Business Engagement Architecture: Illustrates the main building blocks necessary to enhance corporate sustainability as an effective contribution to sustainable development, creating value for both business and society. Each of these building blocks must be further strengthened and connected through a comprehensive and collective effort if they are to help take corporate sustainability to scale and turn business into a truly transformative force in the Post-2015 era. Developed in alliance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Download.

2. Global Corporate Sustainability Report 2013: Looks at the state of corporate sustainability today – providing an in-depth review of the actions taken by companies around the world to embed responsible practices into their strategies, operations and culture based on responses to the Global Compact Annual Implementation Survey. Download.

Please visit the Tools and Resources webpage to access all material issued by the Global Compact.

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EVENT INVITATIONS & WEBINARS

1. Caring for Climate Business Forum at COP19/CMP9 (19-20 Nov, Warsaw)— INVITATION ONLY — The Global Compact, UNEP and UNFCCC secretariat will organize the first annual Caring for Climate Business Forum: Innovation, Ambition, Collaboration, in cooperation with the COP19/CMP9 Polish Presidency. The first day of the Forum will feature over a dozen thematic sessions designed to spur climate action and inspire collaboration. On Day 2, a high-level meeting will bring together chief and senior executives of Caring for Climate and UNEP-FI signatories with Ministers, Heads of UN Agencies and civil society.

For information and to register, please visit the Business Forum website or send an email to forum@caringforclimate.org. In case you missed it, The Climate Group, in partnership with the Global Compact, hosted a live twitter chat with Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, on the role of business at COP19 and in combating climate change. See the conversation.

2. Session on the Anti-Corruption Call to Action at the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption (25 Nov, Panama City)— INVITATION ONLY — Participants will discuss the Call to Action: Anti-Corruption and the Post-2015 Development Agenda and its message to Governments from the private sector. The session will also explore how to integrate anti-corruption and good governance into the Post-2015 Development Agenda and steps needed to further promote anti-corruption measures and policies.

3. 2013 Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights and Business Stakeholder Meeting (2-4 Dec, Geneva)— OPEN INVITATION — Organized by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, the Forum aims to promote multi-stakeholder dialogue on trends and challenges in the implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

As part of the Annual Forum, a Business Stakeholder Meeting (2 Dec, 15:00-18:00) will be convened by the Global Compact, the International Organisation of Employers, the International Chamber of Commerce, the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights and Business for Social Responsibility at the invitation of the UN Working Group on business and human rights. The Business Stakeholder Meeting will provide an opportunity to share and discuss key challenges and opportunities in seeking to implement the Guiding Principles on business and human rights.

All participants are invited to register for the three-day Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights here. Business participants are invited to register for the Business Stakeholder Meeting (2 Dec, 15:00-18:00) by emailing humanrights@ioe-emp.org.

4. 13th Meeting of the Global Compact Working Group on the 10th Principle against Corruption (9-10 Dec, New York)– INVITATION ONLY – The meeting will bring together Global Compact business participants as well as representatives of civil society, labour, business associations, Global Compact Local Networks and international organizations, to discuss the implementation of the 10th principle, share best practices and explore concrete actions to leverage the work of the group.

– INVITATION ONLY – The sixth annual Women’s Equality Principles (WEPs) event, Gender Equality and the Global Jobs Challenge, will spotlight business strategies, experience and challenges on increasing and enhancing job opportunities for women and expanding access to decent jobs. With more than 600 CEO signatories worldwide, the WEPs, a joint initiative of UN Women and the Global Compact, provide a roadmap for companies to advance and empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community.

December
2013 Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights and Business Stakeholder Meeting (2-4 Dec, Geneva)
13th Meeting of the Global Compact Working Group on the 10th Principle against Corruption (9-10 Dec, New York)
Traceability in Global Supply Chains: Objectives and Challenges (11 Dec, online)